Best Portable Vaporizers for Dry Herb in 2017

With the advent of vaping, and more specifically, innovations towards herbal vaporizers, consumers are blessed with an abundance of choice. From dry herb, concentrate-specific, and hybrid vapes, a wide range of expression and personal style can be actualized. The portable vaporizers market is growing fast, and varied. I’m here to help you see the forest for the trees.

The plethora of options can be confusing, yes, particularly those who are transitioning from traditional, analog platforms to the digital realm. Additionally, end-users have multiple needs and different priorities: what may be a desirable attribute for one person may not be that important for another.

To take away most of the guesswork, Spinfuel VAPE’s Tom McBride has complied a list of the best portable vaporizers for dry herb of 2017. More than just a simple ranking, Tom will discuss the main functions and advantages of each herb vaporizer product. This way, you know before purchasing which vaping platform will best suit your style. We want to thank Nug Republic for their help in allowing Tom full access to these wonderful dry herb vaporizers. – John Manzione – Publisher

Note: The below list is in no particular order, and does not represent the raking of the various products.

Despite the many innovations that have been forwarded by renowned herbal vape manufacturers, few can hold a candle to Pax Labs. Formerly known as Ploom, the San Francisco-based company took on the vaping market with one intention – to redefine the portable vaporizer platform. Its latest iteration, the Pax 3 Vaporizer, does exactly that.

From top to bottom, the extraordinary engineering pedigree of Pax Labs is heavily represented through both its avant-garde aesthetics and its world-class innovations. The primary advantage of the Pax 3 over prior versions is the improved heating system, and extended battery life. Furthermore, the Pax 3 herbal vaporizer features a “haptic feedback” system and integrated mobile app, taking end-user functionality to an entirely different level.

Upon opening the Pax 3 package, you are immediately stunned by its pristine elegance. Combining sheer spartan modernity with industrial undertones, this portable vaporizer is quality personified. Even better, the V3 platform is about as discreet as you can get – perfect for inconspicuous vaping sessions.

Moving from the design front, Pax Labs saves its best tricks for its performance metrics. The company’s herbal portable vaporizers are renowned for extracting tremendous power in the smallest package possible, and the V3 vaporizer does not disappoint! Sporting a factory standard 3,500 mAh lithium ion battery, the Pax delivers an impressive range of thermal energies.

In addition, the Pax 3 powerplant represents a near-17% increase in output from the predecessor V2 vaporizer. The capacity improvement is remarkably substantive – the Pax 3 lasts roughly 20% longer than the Pax 2. Over just a short period of time, the latest iteration will provide what amounts to several extra sessions without needing a recharge.

And the necessary downtime is significantly more convenient than many other competitor vaporizers. The Pax 3 kit comes with a proprietary charging device, which magnetically attaches to the vape platform.

For user convenience, the Pax 3 natively features four preset temperature settings – 360F, 380F, 400F, or 420F. This platform is strong enough to handle whatever you throw at it, and is compatible with both herbal and concentrate flavors.

Another convenient feature is the new half-pack oven lid. By default, the Pax 3 features a large-sized herb chamber, which is most ideal for multiple vaping sessions. However, when time is of the essence, the half-pack lid cuts down the chamber to a smaller area, thereby increasing efficiency for shorter sessions. Furthermore, it facilitates the drawing of mere small amounts of herbal material.

With an array of powerful attributes, the Pax 3 is one of the best portable vaporizers available in the markets today. It’s also incredibly discreet, allowing you to take your vaping virtually anywhere.

Why It’s The Best: The Pax 3 mixes sci-fi cool with classic, ageless styling. The herbal vaporizer also packs an incredible power spectrum that will satisfy even the most demanding vaper.

With thousands of products introduced over the past few years, the vaping environment is one of the most competitive in the business world. To make it in this sector is to have something truly special. Grenco Science is one of the elite few that has consistently and successfully delivered consumer-centric innovations to the retail market.

As their corporate name suggests, Grenco turned vape manufacturing into a science. Their products routinely rank among the best portable herbal vaporizers, according to leading industry and subculture publications. The Grenco Science G Pen Elite Vaporizer carries this tradition forward with a lightweight chassis, gobs of power, and a list of incredible consumer conveniences.

One of the underappreciated features of the G Pen Elite is its ergonomics. Featuring a contoured design throughout the entire framework, this unique characteristic serves as a form-fitting grip. It also helps prevent fatigue, which is useful for long-lasting sessions, as well as individual users who have carpal difficulties. Of course, as is expected for every Grenco portable herbal vaporizer, the G Pen Elite is stunningly gorgeous, particularly in its classic, all-black color scheme.

On the engineering front, the standout attribute of the G Pen Elite is its distinct, 360-degree system. This simply means that all of your herbal materials are perfectly and evenly heated. Additionally, the Elite’s maximum capacity is 0.75 grams of dry herb, which translates to extended sessions, at home or away.

Another great feature of this portable vaporizer is the precision temperature control system, modulated through an ultra-convenient and intuitive “+/-“ sequential selector. To skip past thermal ranges in gaps, simply hold down either the + or – button, and the G Pen Elite jumps into rapid selection mode.

The G Pen Elite’s internal battery deploys a remarkable improvement over its predecessor iteration. Under a full charge, the Elite vaporizer is good for roughly 45 to 60 minutes of continuous usage, depending upon vaping style and preference. Better yet, the G Pen is compatible with a USB power bank, which is super-convenient for portable vaping.

Among all the great features of the G Pen Elite, one of the characteristics that make it one of the best portable vaporizer for dry herb of 2017 is the G Pen’s over-sized ceramic herb chamber. With a capacity of 750mg, the Elite earns its brand name – this is about as big of a chamber as you’ll find in any portable vape platform.

Finally, the compact design of the Elite herbal vaporizer lends itself to easy cleaning. The platform field-strips quickly, with critical components removable for convenient access. Grenco also includes a cleaning brush to better maintain and protect your investment.

Why It’s The Best: Grenco Science once again fires on all cylinders with the G Pen Elite Vaporizer, which fuses precision temperature control, extra-large capacity, and ergonomic design work, all under a gorgeously crafted chassis.

When portable herb vaporizers first hit the retail markets, they were met with incredible fanfare – this was the first time that botanical enjoyment could occur in a portable, digital platform. However, it became clear that many herbal vape manufacturers had to compromise between convenience and functionality.

Enter the Firefly 2 Vaporizer! Firefly Vapor perfected the complex art of mixing massive, usable power inside a compact and discreet package. With the V2 Firefly, vapers no longer have to settle for a portable device that only spits out wispy plumes. Instead, the platform pumps out thick, rich clouds that satisfy even the most ardent enthusiasts.

In fact, the Firefly 2 is so impressive that it’s frequently featured in mainstream news publications that are unrelated to the vaping industry. Newsweek declared the Firefly 2 as the “iPhone of vaporizers,” which is about as highest of praise that you can bestow upon a device!

Upon opening the vaporizer package, you’ll immediately discover that all the compliments are well-earned. Featuring a bezeled chassis that replicates the classic, sophisticated lines of a state-of-the-art mobile device, the architecture of the Firefly 2 is simply immaculate. Additionally, engineers integrated a well-balanced platform in the V2 Firefly, which makes it immediately concealable should the need arise.

What makes this innovative platform even more “conceal friendly” is its rapid-fire ignition system, which can be activated by a touch-sensor interface. In just three seconds, the Firefly 2 is ready for your vaping pleasure. For further confirmation, the platform incorporates a solid-green, circular LED interface, which will flash intermittently until it reaches a solid, green state. This indicates that the default temperature of 400° F has been reached.

Including in the vaporizer kit is a free app which allows for device modularity (such as customizing the touch-sensor system), in addition to the ability to select from six preset temperature ranges. The spectrum covers a low of 340 degrees to a high of 420 degrees, separated by 20-degree increments. The sixth setting is specifically designed for concentrate use.

The Firefly 2 is backed by a robust 7.4V lithium-ion battery, which is both rechargeable and replaceable – should the battery go down on a permanent basis, it doesn’t have to take out your vape investment with it. Furthermore, when utilizing Firefly Vapor’s “Quick Charge” adapter, the V2 vaporizer goes from complete depletion to full charge in less than an hour!

Why It’s The Best: If you’re looking for the best in discreet vaping, stop your search and get the Firefly 2 Vaporizer! Loaded with incredible features and innovations, its rapid-fire response rate perfectly fits any circumstance or environment.

When portable vaporizers first hit the markets in the late 1990s to early 2000s, it was rather easy for vaping manufacturers to develop their own brand identity. Thanks to a lack of competitors, a company could simply launch a product with a slightly different color scheme, and it would garner tremendous attention.

Fast forward to the present age, and such antics would quickly lead to bankruptcy. Today’s herbal vaporizers offer a litany of intricate design work and end-user functionalities. The best vaporizers take it a step further, introducing products that evoke a visceral response within the consumer market. The DaVinci IQ Vaporizer is one such platform.

The DaVinci IQ is quite simply a beautiful vaporizer. Inspired by the classic lines and sleek accoutrements of modern digital smart devices, the IQ platform is effortlessly appealing to wide audience of vape enthusiasts. Furthermore, the IQ fits extraordinarily comfortably in your hand, almost as if it were custom tailored.

A distinct design cue of the DaVinci IQ is its 51 light-grid display. Not only does its contour provide a classy feel and look to the vape device, it also communicates critical information in a discreet manner. Other competing devices feature busy LED interfaces which can bog down the overall visuals. With the IQ vaporizer, everything is engineered for inconspicuous vaping enjoyment.

The core element of the DaVinci IQ Vaporizer is its groundbreaking Smart Path Technology. Allowing the end-user to select from one of four, factory-preset temperature ranges, the IQ system automatically modulates the temperature throughout your vaping session. This feature unleashes aromas and flavor profiles that were previously inaccessible utilizing standard vaporizers. Best of all, the modulation feature is completely automatic, so you don’t have to do a thing!

Bolstering the vaping experience is the DaVinci IQ’s ceramic zirconia vapor path. Unlike other platforms that integrate cheap materials that can negatively interact with your dry herb, the ceramic zirconia construction is inert. This wonderful attribute facilitates accurate translation of your choice flavors, thus maximizing your vaping and herbal investments.

Any one of the great features of the DaVinci IQ would qualify it for being one of the best dry herb portable vaporizers of 2017. One particular user-convenience that all vapers will appreciate is pass-through technology. This enables vapers to charge their device while simultaneously drawing from it, making it an idea platform for portable enjoyment.

Why It’s The Best: Front-loaded with incredible features, the DaVinci IQ Vaporizer’s unique, innovative Smart Path Technology simply puts this platform over the top! If you want an unparalleled portable experience, the IQ just might fit the bill!

In recent years, the vaporizer industry has caught the attention of renowned, mainstream sources, and for good reason. Through utilizing the best portable vaporizers, enthusiasts and aficionados sparked a subculture revolution. The synergy has been a net positive for the vaping industry.

However, the laws of physics can only be stretched so far with the compact platform. Even the best portable herbal vaporizers have their limitations. It was towards this end that vaping pioneer Storz & Bickel set out to push the envelope of what was possible. Through extensive research and engineering experimentation, the Mighty Portable Vaporizer by Storz & Bickel was born.

Unlike the vast majority of portable herbal vaporizers, the primary focus of the Mighty is pure performance. For instance, the vast majority of the Mighty’s chassis is covered with several rows of fins. This unique design acts as heat sinks, which permits the platform’s exterior to cool, irrespective of holding angle or pattern.

The Mighty’s dimensions are considerably larger than the typical portable unit, which enables it to deliver massive rips to the end-user. As such, Storz & Bickel knows that their flagship product isn’t going to win too many beauty contests, but it will exceed all consumer expectations.

A prime example is the dual-lithium ion battery system of Mighty Portable Vaporizers. Unlike other compact vaporizers that fizzle out inside of an hour, the Mighty can last up to 90 minutes under constant use, and has been reported to last up to 6 hours for variable usage. Even better, only 45 minutes are needed to restore full-charge capacity from a completely depleted state.

Furthermore, the Mighty is equipped with a precision temperature control system, accessible through large “+/-“ buttons. This allows the vaper to dial-up precise settings, duplicating the modularity found in advanced, desktop e-rigs.

One of the great attributes that places the Mighty Portable Vaporizer firmly in the “Best Portable Vaporizers for Dry Herb of 2017” list is its pure, pass-through technology. This ultra-convenient attribute allows the end-user to simultaneously vape while charging the vaporizer platform. The distinction with the Mighty is that pass-through can be accomplished with a completely dead battery. Other vape devices with pass-through technology require a minimum charge before the features can be actualized.

As you would expect, the Mighty Portable Vaporizer is superb for producing torrential clouds, yet it delivers a smooth texture thanks to its ceramic chamber. And after the fun is over, the Mighty strips down quickly and easily, allowing for complete cleaning and maintenance.

Why It’s The Best: Storz & Bickel is renowned for their excellent craftsmanship and superior functionality, and the Mighty Portable Vaporizer carries this proud tradition forward. If you want the best in portable performance, the Mighty has you covered!

If you’re looking for enormous power output but in a package smaller and more convenient than the Mighty flagship vaporizer, the Crafty Portable Vaporizer by Storz & Bickel is right up your alley!

Similar to the Mighty, the Crafty Portable Vaporizer is engineered specifically for performance. To that end, the Crafty features a lean, but muscular chassis, enabling full efficiency of its power system. The key advantage that the smaller cousin levers is convenient dimensions. At only 4.3 inches tall, the Crafty will easily fit into most people’s hands, and it can be tucked away should the need for discretion arise.

To save further space, the Crafty Portable Vaporizers incorporate a single, lithium ion battery system, which is good for about 45 minutes to one hour of constant use on a single charge, and several hours of variable usage. This timeframe should accommodate four or five full loads. Additionally, a full recharge from complete depletion is accomplished inside of two hours.

A unique feature of Crafty Portable Vaporizers – which is also present in the bigger brother model Mighty – is its ribbed design. Multiple layers of fins cover the vast majority of the Crafty’s chassis, which act as heat fins. This engineering innovation allows the platform to cool down, irrespective of how the vaper holds the device. It also facilitates a superior vaping experience, as the draws are more refined and richly tonal.

One of the great conveniences of the Crafty that makes its one of the best portable vaporizers for dry herb of 2017 is its pass-through charging. This enables simultaneous vaping and charging, which is a tremendous asset for vapers who have busy, hectic schedules. From a completely dead battery, charge the Crafty to about 20% capacity, which then activates the pass-through capability.

Natively, the Crafty integrates factory preset temperature settings – a common attribute, even among the best herbal portable vaporizers. However, Storz & Bickel offers an app, which allows you to precisely control your thermal range with a smartphone. Thus, you’re still getting the best of both worlds!

Like the Mighty (above), the Crafty platform is intuitive for anyone to pick up and use. Also, it’s incredibly quick to field-strip, making cleaning and maintenance work a cinch!

Why It’s The Best: For those that feel the Mighty is a bit over the top, the Crafty Portable Vaporizer fills your performance demands in a much more convenient package.

All of these quality portable vaporizers above can be found at NugRepublic.com at prices I’ve not seen lower anywhere.  Nug Republic offers a low-price guarantee and free shipping on all orders. I might sound a little bias here, but when I started this quest to find the best dry herb vaporizers 3 months ago, I kept finding myself back at Nug Republic during the last month. In addition to great prices, fast and free shipping, Nug was able to provide answers and assistance every time, while others would not, or could not. If herbal vaporizers are important to you, this is priceless.

So, I would like to thank Nug Republic for helping me narrow down my picks for the right devices to write about today. Without their invaluable input, and the long time spent with each device, I’m not sure I could have done this without them. There are so many dry herb vaporizers on the market, finding the right one, at the right price, isn’t easy. Of course, there is every chance this list will change as new and better technologies are developed and released to the public, and when it does I’ll use them, evaluate them, and bring you the honest lowdown. As I’ve always done with e-juice vaporizers and sub-ohm tanks.

Tom McBride